Date: Sat, 6 Apr 1996 15:11:31 -0500
Subject: QUEER DOCTORS CLARIFY MISSION BY REMOVING TRANSPEOPLE
From: riki@pipeline.com (Riki Anne Wilchins)
QUEER DOCTORS CLARIFY MISSION BY REMOVING TRANSPEOPLE
[SAN FRANCISCO, CA - April 5, 1996]
In a move that left transexual members stunned
and angry, the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association
(GLMA), one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious
organizations for queer physicians, has backed away from
its policy of trans-inclusion, only recently implemented,
and removed all reference to transpeople from its
letterhead and mission statement.
While GLMA began officially welcoming transphysicians
as members in 1994, describing itself in its letterhead
and literature as "a U.S. and Canadian organization of
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered physicians,
medical students, and their supporters," in an
unpublicized and unannounced move during its February 16
meeting in Washington, DC, GLMA Board members voted to
strike "transgender" from the group's description.
The word "Canadian" was also removed in the same
motion. The Board has emphasized that transgendered
physicians (and presumably Canadians) are still welcome
in GLMA.
Neither GLMA transmembers, nor its general
membership, were consulted or informed in this action,
learning of it only during the last week of March,
when a disgruntled Board member leaked word to founding
member and transexual physician Joy Shaffer, MD,
a San Jose internist. While some members are troubled
by the vote, others have seen the covert handling of
the matter as equally troubling.
In a letter send to GLMA transmember
Anne Lawrence, MD, GLMA President Valerie Ulstad, MD
explained that the decision to remove transpeople grew
from the Board's conviction that GLMA should better
define its mission. Although transphysicians comprise
under .05% of GLMA members, Dr. Ulstad stated the
Board doubted whether it had the resources or expertise
to effectively advocate transgender issues. She further
stated that retaining references to transpeople under
such conditions was "potentially disrespectful."
However, it is worth noting the GLMA Board
elected not to consult with transphysicians on whether
in fact they perceived any lack of advocacy, on any
potential disrespect in keeping the original mission
statement intact, or on the more obvious potential
for disrespect by removing them quietly and unilaterally,
in absentia.
In addition, in a statement eerily reminiscent of
recent "mainstreaming" by other national queer
organizations, Dr. Ulstad questioned whether GLMA
should expand its long-standing advocacy of
"sexual preference" to also include "gender expression. "
Said Dr. Lawrence, "Unfortunately, the Board
seems not to have understood that sexual preference
and gender identity are often intertwined in ways that
defy easy distinctions." She added, "Dr. Ulstad has
assured me that the Board will reconsider this decision
at its May meeting. I trust that the Board will reverse
this regrettable misstep. Transgendered physicians are
often an endangered species in the world of medicine.
The visible support of queer organizations is critical
in our struggle for acceptance in the wider medical
community."
GLMA members, transgendered and otherwise, have
already communicated their objections to Board members
and the organization's Executive Director, Benjamin Schatz.
Among those expressing concern was lesbian film-maker
Dee Mosbacher, MD, producer of the award-winning
documentary "Straight from the Heart."
In a gratuitous and completely fatuous remark,
Transexual Menace spokestrans Riki Wilchins hotly declared,
"We are shocked, shocked at this blatant display of phobia.
While we can certainly sympathize with transphobia,
especially national groups' desire to put the gendertrash
out for the night, it is absolutely inexcusable that
*anyone* would want to treat our wonderful neighbors to
the north in this exceptionally thoughtless and cavalier
manner. Canad-o-phobia must not go unchallenged."
Despite feverish efforts, IYF staffers were unable
to substantiate rumors that transactivists were intent on
launching a green-shirted "Canadian Menace" movement, although
usually reliable sources reported observing several dozen members
of the Albany TM chapter, crossing the border into Canada at
an unattended checkpoint late last night.
GLMA can be contacted at: 211 Church Street #C
San Francisco CA 94114; (415)255-4547; or gaylesmed@aol.com
Dr. Anne Lawrence can be reached at LawrenceMD@aol.com
[END]